Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has paid a classy tribute to Everton boss Sean Dyche ahead of the meeting between the two teams on Sunday.
The Gunners could win the Premier League title if they beat the Blues and Manchester City drop points at the Eithad Stadium on the final day of the campaign. However, a win for City would deny the London club a first title in 20 years.
While the focus will naturally be on his own team on what has the potential to be a momentous day, in his programme notes before the match the Gunners boss took the time out to praise the work done by Dyche after a season of turbulence for the Blues.
“We are fully aware of that,” said Arteta when asked about the Blues’ form by TNT Sports. “As an Everton supporter I want to say thanks to Sean and his staff for keeping Everton up this season. Hopefully today they are not that good and we can beat them!”
Everton have been hit with two separate points deductions by the Premier League this season, totalling eight points.
However, Dyche has been able to steer the team to safety with a strong end to the campaign. The Everton boss was named April manager of the month and last weekend’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United made it five successive victories in a row at home without conceding.
Arteta spent six seasons at Everton as a player between 2005 and 2011 before joining the Gunners, where he spent a further five years and won two FA Cups.
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